KUCHING, June 14: State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion has rebutted the allegation made by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh today that State Finance Secretary Datuk Amar Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman’s departure from his post was a sudden one.
Jaul, in a press statement today, clarified that Tarmizi’s departure was not “sudden”.
He explained that Tarmizi’s departure was due to the expiry of his revised contract.
“I would like to clarify that YBhg. Datuk Amar Tarmizi Sulaiman was appointed by the State Government, on contract basis, as the Deputy State Financial Secretary on October 1, 2002.
“He was later promoted as State Financial Secretary on July 1, 2004 on contract basis, which was to expire upon him attaining 55 years of age.
“His tenure as State Financial Secretary was further extended for another period of more than four years from July 1, 2016 to October 28, 2020 when the State Government agreed to review his retirement age from 55 to 58 years.
“Upon expiry of this revised contract, his service was further extended by the State Government for another seven months from October 29, 2020 to May 31, 2021.
“As such, the departure of YBhg. Datuk Amar Haji Ahmad Tarmizi bin Haji Sulaiman was not “sudden”,” he said.
Jaul added the State Government is appreciative and thankful for the services and vast contribution of Tarmizi when he helmed the office of the State Financial Secretary.
He noted that the office of the State Financial Secretary has developed many good officers under Tarmizi’s leadership.
Jaul asserted that those officers are highly experienced, committed and of high calibre, who are capable of running the affairs of the State Financial Secretary’s Office and management of the State’s financial affairs.
“With the new State Financial Secretary, I am quite confident our officers will be able to play these roles equally well, even during the trying times, with the wise guidance and leadership of the Y.A.B. Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg), who is also Sarawak Minister for Finance.
“Despite the unprecedented worldwide economic disruption, the State financial position remains strong and stable; and with the various initiatives and innovative revenue engineering strategies introduced by the Y.A.B. Chief Minister cum Minister for Finance, which will augur well for Sarawak’s future financial position, rest assured that the financial affairs of Sarawak are in good hands,” Jaul added. — DayakDaily
